Perception has become one of Marvel’s go-to studios for visual effects, developing not just the holographic displays and interfaces used by Stark and his cabal of Avengers, but the Vibranium-based nanotechnology that pervades the futuristic African civilization of Wakanda, and the title sequences for countless Marvel films and TV shows, from Thor:Ragnarok to WandaVision. At the same time, the company has worked with some of the world’s largest consumer tech firms, automakers, and aerospace companies to bring a science fictional feel to real world displays and user interfaces. Perception worked with IBM to develop the avatar for an artificially-intelligent debate program, and it partnered with Intel to visualize the firm's work using drones and AI to survey the Great Wall of China.

Perception’s designs for Stark Industries and its work for actual tech companies are deeply intertwined, with science fiction inspiring the team to develop new user experiences and data visualizations in the real world and advancements in actual science and technology driving innovation within the Marvel cinematic universe. 

Total Cash Prize Pool

$500,000 for Phases 1 and 2

Prize Breakdown

Phase 1: Up to 10 winners will be eligible to receive up to $10,000 each.

Phase 2: Up to 5 winners will be selected to split a total $400,000 prize purse.

Prize distribution will occur at the sole discretion of BARDA.

Non-monetary Prizes

Participants may be eligible for mentorship opportunities from interested parties. Additional information will be provided through an update to this announcement.

"...From problems in producing PPE that demonstrate the vulnerabilities in critical supply chains to solutions in vaccine distribution challenges that leverage innovative public-private partnerships, new perspectives and approaches to public health are necessary.  A way to accomplish this: using health care engineering, or more specifically, the application of systems engineering in health care...But more is required, particularly in the use of systems engineering in informing public health responses and interventions. A field of public health systems engineering is needed."